Since a state of emergency was declared following the 2021 military coup d'état, the Commander-in-Chief has been the highest authority in the country, with plenary power delegated by the president and the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC).

Article 418 of the 2008 Constitution allows the Commander-in-Chief broad authority over the government if the president declares a state of emergency in coordination with the NDSC.

This happened after the 2021 military coup d'état: military-installed acting president Myint Swe declared a state of emergency and transferred power to Commander-in-Chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, who then formed a military junta—the State Administration Council.

[1][2][3] The current Commander-in-Chief is Min Aung Hlaing, since 30 March 2011.

[5] However, Min Aung Hlaing, who turned 65 on 3 July 2021, has remained in office.